Giant squid captured on video in ocean depths

TOKYO -- Researchers and broadcasters say they have captured video images of a giant squid in its natural habitat deep in the ocean for the first time.

The three-meter (nine-foot) invertebrate was filmed from a manned submersible during one of 100 dives in the Pacific last summer in a joint expedition by Japanese public broadcaster NHK, Discovery Channel and Japan's National Museum of Nature and Science.

NHK released photographs of the giant squid this week ahead of Sunday's show about the encounter.

The Discovery Channel will air its program on Jan. 27.

NHK says the squid was spotted at a depth of 630 meters (2,000 feet) about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of Tokyo.

Little is known about the creature because its harsh environment makes it difficult for scientists to conduct research.